Blizzard Fall to Slaughter in Final Home Game of Season

GREEN BAY, WI - In the final regular season game of their 2013 season, the Green Bay Blizzard fell to the Chicago Slaughter, 60-57, in front of 3,053 fans at the Resch Center Saturday night.

Despite fielding an offense that averaged 54.6 points per game since coach Chad Baldwin took over, second highest in the IFL during that span, Green Bay (4-10) dropped their final five games of the season. This season also marks the first time in eight seasons Green Bay has failed to make the playoffs.

The Blizzard were lined up to send the game into overtime with no time remaining however K Jered Fohrman missed a 24 yard field goal wide left and Chicago held on to win 60-57.

Green Bay got on the board first with a 19-yard touchdown run by RB Lucien Walker. Walker had his biggest game rushing as a member of the Blizzard as he scored three rushing touchdowns during the first half.

The Slaughter kept it interesting in the first half, matching the Blizzard score for score, behind the success of quarterback Cody Kirby. Kirby threw five touchdown passes in the first half alone, with three of them going to wide receiver David Brown.

Using a well-balanced offensive attack throughout the first half, the Blizzard took a 41-33 halftime lead as QB Donovan Porterie found B.J. Hill open for a short touchdown right before the half, giving Green Bay some breathing room heading into the break.

Chicago however, as the team did all night managed to again match the Blizzard score for score in the third quarter. Chicago managed to finally stop the Blizzard attack at the top of the fourth quarter. QB Cody Kirby then broke a 14-yard run to give the Slaughter their first lead since the first quarter, 57-54.

The two teams traded late field goals. The Bizzard took over with 56 seconds down by three but failed to secure victory when Jered Forhman missed a 24 yard field goal wide left.

The game, which was scheduled to kickoff at 7:00 PM, was delayed over an hour due to travel and roster difficulties by Chicago. Several Chicago players decided not to travel to Green Bay Using a small contingent of local Green Bay area players the Slaughter were able to field a full 21 man roster.

QB Donovan Porterie completed 10 of 18 passes for 120 yards and three touchdowns. RB Lucien Walker led the team in rushing with 39 yards and three touchdowns. WR Ryan Balentine finished the game with five receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. Balentine finishes his rookie season in the IFL third in the league with 869 receiving yards.

DB Elijah Fields, returning after missing two games due to injury, led the team in tackles with 12 2.5 tackles for loss .